BALLARAT javelin thrower Kathryn Mitchell will compete at her third Olympics after being named in the final 63-person squad that will travel to Tokyo later this month.
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Mitchell has been a dominant force at track-and-field competitions throughout the season, but had fallen 50cm short of an automatic qualifying position, with a season best of 63.5 metres.
But her world ranking and the fact she had thrown the 12th longest throw of anyone in the world this year, meant she had still done enough to earn selection for the Olympics.
The 63-strong team is the third largest athletics squad Australia has ever had at an Olympic Games, behind only the two home Olympics of Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.
The team also features medal hope, and former Ballarat student Stewart McSweyn, who has confirmed his focus on the 1500-metres by dropping the 5000m and 10,000m despite earning selection in both longer distance events.
It's incredibly exciting to see 36 more athletes announced, what's more exciting is the real mix of experience we have," Athletics Australia chief executive Peter Bromley said.
"We have 14 Olympians joining the team once again ... and 22 debutants, all of whom have made a lasting impression on the Australian athletics community.
"This highlights to me that the future of athletics in our country is strong and bright.
"We have a big few weeks ahead as our team now goes into camp to put the finishing touches on their final preparations."
